Train Tickets and unusual routes

[surveyor]

I need to book a ticket to Brum from Doncaster. It's on a strike day and the schedule is not released. It won't be pretty when it is, and its not like Cross Country have loads of additional capacity for the return journey either. I don't fancy another 90 minute stand, which is what happened last year.

How do I book an alternative route to go via Stockport instead? Any ideas?

[the-norseman]

Book the individual tickets via the route you want to go, so if you know you want to go via Stockport then book A to Stockport then Stockport to B.

Trying to travel on strike days isn't advisable though.

[surveyor]

the-norseman said:

Book the individual tickets via the route you want to go, so if you know you want to go via Stockport then book A to Stockport then Stockport to B.

Trying to travel on strike days isn't advisable though.

Striking on the day of our Christmas party is not advisable

[the-norseman]

As a rail worker... what is a christmas party? not had one for about 10 years and I do enjoy a 11am session that carries on till 3am.

[Simpo Two]

Car. That's what you need.

[surveyor]

Simpo Two said:

Car. That's what you need.

It's looking that way...

[i4got]

In my view Cross Country are the worst company for overselling capacity. Even on a non strike days its hellish.

[M4cruiser]

i4got said:

In my view Cross Country are the worst company for overselling capacity. Even on a non strike days its hellish.

Agreed.
They run 4-car trains. How dumb is that? A small investment to add some carriages, and the number of staff needed is the same.

[darkyoung1000]

Depending on the day of your journey, you might get away with using different TOCs as my understanding is that different branches of ASLEF are striking on different days.
e.g. If its a day when Cross Country are striking, I don't think EMR are, so Doncaster to Sheffield could be done on Transpennine or Northern, then Sheffield to Derby on EMR.

I'm afraid that's where my commute ends, so I'm not sure of who runs a local service further south.

If money is no object of course, go via London...!

[The Gauge]

I'm booked Sheffield to London on 4th Dec, not a strike day but the days before and after are. I'm changing my ticket as I know it will be a very ugly day.

[PhyllisOphical]

Last time I went to Darlington from Nuneaton I went Via Peterborough.

XC train which starts at Birmingham should ensure a seat. No problems with LNER Peterboro to Doncaster.

Book your tickets at https://tickets.railforums.co.uk/ no booking fee, and will find split tickets if cheaper.

[surveyor]

PhyllisOphical said:

Last time I went to Darlington from Nuneaton I went Via Peterborough.

XC train which starts at Birmingham should ensure a seat. No problems with LNER Peterboro to Doncaster.

Book your tickets at https://tickets.railforums.co.uk/ no booking fee, and will find split tickets if cheaper.

XC strike is the problem…

[Chrisgr31]

Bit late in my response but if you go to the National Rail app you can put in your start and end point and add a via station as well.